For the first time in two years, after the world’s biggest lockdown to slow the COVID-19 pandemic, President Muhammadu Buhari is set to return to receiving guests on the traditional Sallah homage in Aso Rock Presidential villa, Abuja.
A statement today, April 29, by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on media and publicity, Malam Garba Shehu said that such guests would be welcomed only on invitations.
According to Garba Shehu, the invitees would be required to wear face masks and undergo the linear Covid-19 test at the State House Conference Centre to obtain a negative test result as condition for admittance to the event.
“Although this is a sign of the return to normalcy as infection rates fall to their lowest, those coming on invitation are still required to wear face masks and undergo the linear Covid-19 test at the State House Conference Centre to obtain a negative test result as condition for admittance to the event.”
The spokesperson said that about 100 guests are expected to be hosted by the President at the new State House Banquet Hall at 3:00pm on Sallah Day, which may be Sunday or Monday, subject to the moon sighting, to be announced by Islamic authorities in the country.
“Invited Guests for the event, led by Muhammed Musa Bello, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), include the Secretary to the Government of the Federation and the Head of Service, the Senator and House members from the territory; leadership of the FCT Judiciary, Members of the Cabinet, Service Chiefs and heads of security agencies, Muslim and Christian leaderships in the FCT, Council Chairmen, Traditional Rulers and others who received invitations as listed on the manifest.”
